Nursery FAQs

We are excited to tell you that we will be changing the way we offer our Nursery provision. We will now be offering a model of 2.5 days of free provision a week for all 3-4 year olds. In addition, we will be offering 30 hours of free childcare for some families.

We hope this information sheet will answer your questions regarding the changes to our Nursery provision.

Q1. What will be different in September 2019?

The government has decided to fund some additional childcare for 3-4 year olds, if their parents/carers are working. We will still be providing 15 hours free entitlement for all 3–4 year olds and this will be provided across 2.5 days, as follows:

All day Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday morning, or

Wednesday afternoon, and all day Thursday and Friday.

In addition to this, we will be providing some places for eligible families to access 30 hours free childcare and this will be offered all day Monday to Friday.

Q2. What hours is the Nursery open?

The all day sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday run from 8:45am-3.15pm.

To ensure children receive their full entitlement, the Wednesday morning session will run from 8:45am–11:45am and the afternoon session will run from 12.15pm–3:15pm.

If your child attends all day on a Wednesday, the day will run from 8:45am–3:15pm.

Q3. Do I get a choice of which days my child attends?

On the application form there will be an opportunity to express a preference. We will do our best to accommodate requests for specific Nursery provision, however our admission criteria will be used to allocate places.

Q4. What will my child eat during their day at Nursery?

Your child will receive free milk during their session. There will be a supervised lunch session during the day for which you will need to provide a healthy packed lunch.

Q5. Is there a cost or application fee for the Nursery?

No, all provision is free at Earlswood Nursery. Applications are also free.

Q6. Can I pay for additional hours to my child’s day in the Nursery if I am not eligible for 30 hours free childcare?

Unfortunately, due to staffing and administrative costs we are not able to offer any additional hours at nursery above the allocated places. This means that if you are allocated a 15 hour free entitlement, you will not be able to pay to “top up”.

Q7. How are the places allocated?

Please note, places are not allocated on a first come first served basis. A priority system is used in the following order:

1) Children in care.

2) Exceptional social/medical need.

3) Siblings of the Federation of Earlswood Schools

4) Children who turn 4 years old between 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020.

5) Children who will be 3 years old between 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020 (these children will be able to stay on in nursery for another year in 2020/21 as they will not be due to start Reception until September 2021).

For further details, please refer to our Nursery admissions policy.

Q8. When do I apply for a place at Nursery?

You can apply for a place now. Please hand in your application by 31st January for the September intake of the same year. Any applications received after this date will be treated as a late application and added to the waiting list. It will then be processed after all of the first offers have been given.

Q9. What if my circumstances change and I am no longer eligible for 30 hours free childcare?

The purpose of the Government’s new 30-hour childcare policy is to enable parents to work. If your circumstances change and you no longer meet the criteria, unfortunately you will not be eligible for the full 30-hours entitlement. You will still, however, be eligible for 15-hours of free entitlement, regardless of your circumstances. It is very important on your application form to state clearly which sessions will be your free 15-hours entitlement as your child will receive this regardless of any change in your circumstances.

Q10. After I have been offered a place can I swap my sessions?

We will try to accommodate your request if we have availability. If it is not possible immediately, you will be placed on a waiting list.

Childcare Choices

Q2. Can I swap my session from the Afternoon to a Morning or vice-versa?

If you wish to swap sessions after your child’s place has been allocated, please contact the school office to discuss. If another family would also like to swap, this may well be possible.

Q3. Can I spread my 15 hours over 2 full days and a half day instead of the 5 half days? Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this at the moment. We offer fifteen hours which have to be spread over 5 days, either all mornings or all afternoons, Monday to Friday.

Q4. Is there a cost or application fee for the Nursery?

No. We offer the 15 hours Government funded care for children over 3 years old. Application is free.

Q5. Can I add any extra hours to my child’s day in the Nursery?

We are not able to offer additional Nursery hours; however we do run a variety of extended day clubs that may suit you, at an additional cost. We offer Breakfast and After School Clubs at the school, which are booked and paid for in advance. The clubs you request will depend upon which session you are allocated. For example, if allocated morning nursery sessions you will be eligible to attend Breakfast Club.

Q6. Do I get the option for 30 hours of Nursery time per week?

We are currently looking into providing 30 hours of Nursery care as an option from the academic year 2108-2019, however no decision has yet been made and we therefore can only currently confirm offers for 15 hours.

Q7. How are the places allocated?

Places are not allocated on a first come first serve basis. A priority system is used in the following order:

1) Children in care;

2) Siblings of Earlswood School;

3) Distance you live from the school.

If your application is handed in after the 31st of January for the September intake of the same year, it will be treated as a late application and added to the waiting list. It will then be processed after all of the first offers have been given. If you do have any further questions, please contact the Infant School office.

The Federation of Earlswood Schools recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. Child protection forms part of the school’s safeguarding responsibilities.